BOARD MEETING DATE: June 3, 2005
AGENDA NO. 6

Execute Contracts to Demonstrate the Applicability of Cleaire Advanced Emissions Controls’ Longview Systems on Solid Waste Collection Vehicles

SYNOPSIS:

In 2004, Cleaire Advanced Emissions Controls received a verification approval from CARB for its Longview System diesel retrofit system which reduces NOx and PM emissions from a wide variety of pre-2003 on-road heavy-duty diesel engines. The Longview System is CARB-verified to reduce PM emissions by at least 85 percent and NOx emissions by 25 percent. Cleaire is in the process of obtaining a verification of the Longview System for current diesel engines. This action is to execute contracts for emissions testing and data analysis of up to four Longview Systems on a variety of 2004 or 2005 model year diesel-fueled engines used in solid waste collection vehicles operating in the South Coast AQMD in an amount not to exceed $285,000. Funding will come from the Clean Fuels Fund.

COMMITTEE:

Technology, May 27, 2005, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

1. Authorize the Executive Officer to execute a purchase order with Cleaire’s local distributor to purchase and install up to four Cleaire Longview Systems on solid waste collection vehicles for an amount not to exceed $80,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund.
    
2. Authorize the Executive Officer to augment the existing contract with West Virginia University for emissions testing of up to four Cleaire Longview Systems installed on diesel-fueled, solid waste collection vehicles for an amount not to exceed $180,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund.
    
3. Authorize the Executive Officer to execute a contract with Engine, Fuels and Emissions Engineering for analysis of emissions test results collected by West Virginia University for an amount not to exceed $25,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

In 2004, CARB verified Cleaire Advanced Emissions Controls’ (Cleaire) Longview System for a wide variety of 1994 through 2002 model year diesel engines used in on-road applications. The Longview System was verified to provide at least 85 percent PM emission reductions and 25 percent NOx emission reductions. CARB’s verification is based on a limited number of in-use engines tested as required under the verification procedures and engineering calculations of estimated emission reductions for the remainder of the engines submitted under the verification application. Cleaire is in the process of conducting in-use engine tests on current diesel engines (model year 2004 and beyond) with the Longview System for subsequent submittal to CARB for verification approval purposes.

One such application of the Longview System is on solid waste collection vehicles. Existing CARB regulations require solid waste collection refuse operators to reduce vehicle emissions through a retrofit program. To further understand the emission reduction benefits of the Longview System and to demonstrate the applicability of the System on solid waste collection vehicles used in the South Coast AQMD, staff is proposing to conduct a limited testing of the Longview System on several different diesel engines used in solid waste collection vehicles. The proposed project will help determine the effect the Longview technology can have in lowering NOx and PM emissions from existing diesel engines operating in the South Coast Air Basin.

Proposal

This action is to execute contracts to purchase and install up to four Cleaire Longview systems on diesel-fueled solid waste collection vehicles, conduct emissions testing at West Virginia University’s facility located in Riverside on the installed Longview Systems, and to analyze the test results. The entire project will be completed for an amount not to exceed $285,000. The objective of the project is to confirm emission reductions verified for the Longview Systems as installed on solid waste collection vehicles that are representative of the fleets used in the South Coast AQMD.

This action is to execute sole-source contracts for the purchase and installation of up to four Longview Systems on solid waste collection vehicles and conduct emissions testing and analysis of the emissions data. Staff is proposing that the Longview Systems be purchased and installed by Cleaire’s local distributor at a cost of about $80,000. There are two chassis dynamometer test facilities located in the South Coast – one at the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority (LACMTA) and the other in Riverside operated by West Virginia University. Given the schedule to conduct the proposed study in a timely manner and the limited availability of the LACMTA facility, staff is proposing that the emissions testing be conducted by West Virginia University at a cost not to exceed $180,000. Lastly, staff believes that external expertise is needed to analyze the resulting emissions test data. Therefore, staff is proposing that an expert technical consultant, Engine, Fuels and Emissions Engineering, be retained to conduct the analysis at a cost not to exceed $25,000. Sufficient funds are available in the Clean Fuels Fund to cover the total cost of $285,000.

Sole Source Justification

Section VIII.B.2. of the Procurement Policy and Procedure identifies four major provisions under which a sole source award may be justified. The request to purchase the Longview Systems is made under provision B.2.c. (2); The project involves the use of proprietary technology. The Longview System by Cleaire is the only CARB verified retrofit device that can reduce PM by at least 85% and NOx by 25%, and verified to be used on solid waste collection vehicles. The request to test and analyze the results are made under provisions B.2.d.(8): Research and development efforts with educational institutions, or nonprofit organizations; and B.2.d.(4): Level-of-effort expert consultation services, respectively.

As mentioned earlier, there are two organizations located in the South Coast Air Basin that have the capability of conducting chassis dynamometer emissions testing: the LACMTA facility operated by CARB, and the West Virginia University facility located in Riverside. Other facilities outside of the South Coast Air Basin capable of conducting such testing are located in northern California and various locations nationally. However, the cost to have vehicles selected from the refuse fleets operating in the South Coast Air Basin and transported to facilities outside of the Basin would incur more expenses. Staff proposes to utilize West Virginia University to conduct the emissions tests because of their location in Riverside, CA. In addition, based on discussions with CARB regarding the availability of the LACMTA facility, staff believes that CARB would not be able to provide the time and resources required to conduct these tests.

The emissions data analysis is proposed to be performed by Engine, Fuels and Emissions Engineering (EF&EE). EF&EE is uniquely qualified, having vast experience with diesel-fueled heavy-duty vehicles throughout the world. Staff does not have the resources and specific in-house expertise needed to conduct the analysis. EF&EE is one of several technical consultants currently retained by the AQMD to assist Technology Advancement Office staff in understanding and quantifying exhaust combustion emissions and was selected under the AQMD competitive process to serve as a technical consultant to AQMD because of its vast experience and expertise in engine combustion and control technology. In addition, EF&EE has assisted engine manufacturers in the CARB certification process. Staff believes that EF&EE’s unique experience and expertise will help confirm the emission reductions associated with the Longview system.

Benefits to AQMD

The successful completion of this project will help confirm the 85 percent PM emissions reduction and 25 percent NOx emissions reduction associated with the Cleaire Longview System on solid waste collection vehicles that are representative of fleets used in the South Coast Air Basin. This effort will ultimately contribute to the progress AQMD makes in achieving clean air goals.

Resource Impacts

The total project cost of $285,000 will be provided from the Clean Fuels Fund (Fund 31). Sufficient funds are available from the Clean Fuels Fund, established as a special revenue fund resulting from the state-mandated Clean Fuels Program. The Clean Fuels Program, under Health and Safety Code Sections 40448.5 and 40512 and Vehicle Code Section 9250.11, establishes mechanisms to collect revenues from mobile sources to support projects to increase the utilization of clean fuels, including the development of the necessary advanced enabling technologies. Funds collected from motor vehicles are restricted, by statute, to be used for projects and program activities related to mobile sources that support the objectives of the Clean Fuels Program.

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